“I took it easy over the first two miles,” said Too, who is originally from Eldoret, Kenya, a high-elevation area of his homeland. “Then, at the two-mile mark, I picked up the pace.

“I pushed and pushed to move in front. Then I settled into a nice pace. And I finished strong.”

His Steamtown victory was his second marathon win this year and his fourth overall.

The field of 1,824 featured runners from six countries and 44 states, including Pennsylvania, as well as Washington D.C.

Too, obviously coming from an area of Kenya that features high altitude and hot conditions, wasn’t bothered too much by the unseasonable weather. But even he didn’t finish under 2 hours and 20 minutes, like he expected.

Abu Kebede Diriba, 29, of New York City and originally from Oromo, Ethiopia, finished a distant second in 2:31:56 and collected $1,000. Trevor van Ackerman, 28, of Bethlehem, who ran for Princeton University and now runs for the prestigious Aadvark Running Club in Bethlehem, finished third in 2:32:49 and won $500.

Sam Kuchwara, 25, of Dickson City, finished fourth in 2:37:57. The former Scranton Prep runner won $300. Dan Martin, 28, of Arlington, Va., who ran for Susquehanna University, won $100 for finishing fifth in 2:41:12.

Liuzzo, 29, of Acton, Mass., won top female honors, and $1,500, finishing in 3:09:33.

“It was really, really hard,” said Liuzzo, who ran for UMass. “I ran conservatively over the first half of the race because of the humidity. And then I took it easy over the second half of the race.”

Mountain Top’s Rachel Sowinski, 22, finished third, 39 seconds behind Coyle. Sowinski, who ran for the College of the Holy Cross, in Boston, won $500.

Jenna Rau, 33, of Orefield, who only took up running five years ago, finished fourth in 3:13:06, followed by Anna Leer, 33, of Denver, who finished in 3:15:20.

Michael Bedrin, of Mountain Top, finished fifth in the 55-59 age group, clocking in at 3:26:17.

Proceeds from the 22nd annual marathon go to St. Joseph’s Center, a facility in Dunmore for neurologically impaired, multiple-handicapped and medically fragile children and young adults.

On Thursday evening at the prerace VIP party held at the Electric City Trolley Museum in Scranton honored many of those who helped make the marathon possible. Race director, Bill King and race treasurer, Jack Marx, presented Sister Maryalice, IHM, Jacquiot, president of St. Joe’s, with a check for $50,000.

The check put the amount the marathon has raised for St. Joe’s at more than $1.65 million over its 22-year history. Another check to St. Joe’s will follow after the marathon expenses are paid.

In her thank you speech at the VIP party, Sister Maryalice said, “We at St. Joe’s are grateful for being the recipients of the proceeds from the marathon. The runners use their athletic abilities to benefit those who are less fortunate.”

Sister Maryalice thanked the sponsors, committee members and the many volunteers who make the marathon possible. “The volunteers — their gift of time is priceless,” she said.

Hillary Too makes his way toward the finish line on Washington Ave. on his way to winning the Steamtown Marathon on Sunday in Scranton.

http://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_mar2_faa.jpgHillary Too makes his way toward the finish line on Washington Ave. on his way to winning the Steamtown Marathon on Sunday in Scranton. Fred Adams| For Times Leader

Spectators line the sides of Washington Ave. cheering on the runners in the Scranton Steamtown Marathon on Sunday.

http://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_mar4_faa.jpgSpectators line the sides of Washington Ave. cheering on the runners in the Scranton Steamtown Marathon on Sunday. Fred Adams| For Times Leader

Medals handed out to the runners after finishing Sunday’s Steamtown Marathon.

http://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_mar5_faa.jpgMedals handed out to the runners after finishing Sunday’s Steamtown Marathon. Fred Adams| For Times Leader

Lauren Liuzzo heads down the final stretch to take first place in the women’s division at Sunday’s Steamtown Martathon in Scranton.

http://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_mar3_faa.jpgLauren Liuzzo heads down the final stretch to take first place in the women’s division at Sunday’s Steamtown Martathon in Scranton. Fred Adams| For Times Leader